In a recent exchange on X, Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the long-standing steering wheel nag, designed to ensure driver attentiveness, will be removed in the upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 12.4. This announcement marks a significant development in Tesla’s autonomous driving technology.
Musk initially responded to a user on X who claimed that FSD v12.4 would address the steering wheel nag. The specifics of what “fixed” meant were unclear until another user, Farzad, posted a follow-up stating that Musk insinuated the nag would be removed in FSD v12.4. Musk simply replied with “Yes,” solidifying the anticipation of this change.
Tesla‘s decision to remove the steering wheel nag isn’t entirely surprising. The company has been leveraging a camera-based driver monitoring system that theoretically provides more effective monitoring of driver attentiveness. This system detects if the driver’s eyes are open, the direction of their head, and even whether they are using a phone.
Tesla hacker Greentheonly has revealed that Tesla employs neural networks to analyze the cabin camera’s video feed, determining whether the driver is looking at the road, off to the side, or down. This sophisticated technology suggests that Tesla aims to ensure driver attentiveness through enhanced cabin camera monitoring, potentially making the steering wheel nag redundant.
The Role of the Cabin Camera
Tesla’s cabin camera is instrumental in detecting driver attentiveness. It evaluates factors such as whether the driver’s eyes are open, their head direction, and phone usage. The AI processes these inputs to ascertain the driver’s level of attention, aiming to ensure safety without the need for a physical reminder.
However, despite Musk’s indication of the nag’s removal, Tesla will likely retain it as a fallback measure, especially in early iterations of the updated monitoring system. Situations where the cabin camera might struggle, such as when drivers wear sunglasses or hats, or during nighttime driving, could still necessitate the steering wheel nag. Newer Teslas equipped with infrared lights to aid the camera in the dark are expected to benefit most from these improvements.
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While Musk’s confirmation pertains specifically to FSD v12.4, the requirement for driver attentiveness is not exclusive to FSD. Tesla’s Autopilot packages, including Basic Autopilot and Enhanced Autopilot, also need to monitor driver engagement. Although it’s unclear whether the nag removal will extend immediately to these packages, likely, the feature will likely eventually be implemented across all Autopilot versions.
The “nag-less” improvements in FSD v12.4 will be available to Tesla models equipped with cabin cameras. This includes the Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and the redesigned Model S and Model X. Vehicles with infrared lights near the cabin camera are expected to experience the most significant benefits from these advancements.
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Upcoming FSD v12.4 Release
Elon Musk has indicated that FSD v12.4 could start rolling out as early as next week. While Musk typically keeps the specifics of each FSD update under wraps, he has revealed that this update will largely focus on enhancing passenger comfort by addressing issues like abrupt acceleration and braking.
Musk has teased additional improvements in subsequent versions like v12.5 and v12.6, but the primary aim of v12.4 appears to be delivering a smoother and more refined driving experience.
The removal of the steering wheel nag signifies a substantial leap in autonomous driving technology, underscoring Tesla’s commitment to advancing its driver monitoring systems. By enhancing the cabin camera’s capabilities, Tesla aims to create a safer and more intuitive driving experience, potentially setting a new standard in the automotive industry.
